Food delivering and ordering apparatus



W. F. MCGLAUGHUN. Foon nfuvERmG AND nam-tama APPARAT APPLICATION FILED DEC. l?. l9|9 Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

W. F. McGAUGHLSN. man DELlviRmG arm 0305MB APPARATUS. ,'PPLEEAUGN HU!) iR'C. Ih i919.

1,360,657, y Fammi@ Nov. 3o, 1920.

ki SHETS-SHEET 4.

Patentd Nov. 30, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

W. F. MCGLAUGHLIN.

F000 DELIVERING AND ORDERING APPARATUS.

APPLICATiON FILED DEC. l?, l9l9.

WITNESSES W. F. MCGLAUGHLIN.

FODD DELIVEHING AND ORDERING APPARATUS.

APPL|cAT|oN HLED uic. 11. 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

1,360,657. ummm. 30,1920.

UNITED sTATss PATENT oFFicE.

WILLIAM FRANCIS MCGLAUGHLIN, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO RUSH DENNY GrALBRETI-I` 0F DENVER, COLORADO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

i Application filed December 17, 1919. Serial No. 345,685.

To Nw/10m. `'15 may concern Be it known that I, lViLLiAM F. Mo- (LAUuHLIN, a citizen of the United States, and a. resident of'Denver, in the county of Denver and Stato of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Food Delivering and Ordering Apparatus, of. which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for automatically delivering trays of food to the diners in a restaurant and an apparatus for orderil'ig food which is `particularly designed for use in conjunction with the delivering apparatus.

It is a urpose of my invention to provide a delivering apparatus of the abovedescribed character which etl'ccts the automatic deliveiy of trays of food o a distributing table whereby the distribution of the tays to the diners is facilitated, thu's f materially reducing the number ot waiters usually required iil'a restaurant.

VIt is also a purpose of my invention to provide a delivering apparatus which is utilized to return the emptyY dishes* to the kitchen ot' a restaurant.

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide an apparatus for orderingthe dishes and for delivering the order to the kitchen, thus eliminating the intermediaries necessary for the transmission of orders from the diners to the chef.

l will describe one 'forni of delivering apparatus and one form ot' ordering apparatus each embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims. i

In the accompz-inying drawings Figure l is a view, showing in top plan a dining room and kitchen having applied thereto one form of delivering apparatus embodying my invention and one arrangement of counter, tables, and seats for use in conjunction with each apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 3MB of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View.Y taken on the line 4 4 of Fig.`2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail View, show ing in side elevation one form of tray embodying my invention;

Fig. 6 is a view, showing in front elevation the tray shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. isva scctional'view taken on the line r--r ot Fig. 6 showing the inner side of .the iipper disk comprised in the tray shown 1n liigs. 5 and 6;

l* ig. a is la view similar to Fig. 7 showing the lower disk. Pig. S is a fragmentary plan View, showing. a portion of the delivery bolt and tray deliyernig hooks shown in Fig. l;

n 141g. 9 1s a sectional view, taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 8; ,f

Fig. l() fs a View, showing in side elevatlon one forni of ordering apparatus embodying my invention; i l 1g. l1 .is a view similarto F ig. l0, showing another torin ot ordering apparatus embodying my invention; and

141g. l2 is a view, showing in side elevation one form of order carrying device embodying my invention.

Simi ar reference characters refer to simi?I lar parts in each oi the several views.

Referring specifically to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. l, D designates generally the dining room of a restaurant, and K the kitchen, the latter being separated t'roni the diniiig room ,hy a partition 15. The dining room D in the resent instance, is provided with a counter which is in the form ot' an L, and arranged along the outer side of this counter zit-regular spaced intervals are seats S which are adapted to be occupied by the diners. T designates a plurality of tables which are arranged end to end and in a row parallel to the longer arm of the counter1 C. The tables T are likewise provided with a row of"seats S. Located within the'dinin'g room at a point between the tables T and the counters C is a distributing table designated generally at A in which is mounted an endless conveyer designated generally at B. As shown in Figs. l and @fthe conveyer B extends longitudinally of the distributing table A and projects-froin the right end thereof through a. suitable openingv formed in the partition 15 and into the kitchen K. As illustrated to advantage in Figsjl and 4. the distributing table A comprises a plurality of triangularlyshaped legs 16 which are arranged in )airs and supported upon a hase' board 17. he legs 16 support shelves 1S, and the latter in turn support partitions 19 upon which are arranged shelves 20. The shelves 2O support, partitions 21, and the partitions los 19 and 21 which arearranged at regular spaced intervals, as shown 1n Fig. 2, are

'Y spanned at their outer edges by hinged ranged the endless conveyer B. As shown in Fig. 2,1,the endless conveyer B comprises a pair of wheels 22, which are arranged on ".axles 23 suitably supported in the table,

Y such wheelsV heini Y, a pair of endless I'15- operatively connected by elts 24 between which are Secured iii hts or conveyer sections 25. As Shown in ig. 4, the periphery of each wheel 22 is formed with a ser1es of teeth orlugs *22' which are adapted to seat within recesses 25' formed on the inner sides of the sections 25 whereby a positive driving connection between the sections and the wheels is secured. In the applied position of the conveyer B, the upper stretch of the conveyer is disposed in the same horizontal plane as the upper shelves 20, while the lower stretch of the conveyer is disposed in the same lane as the lower shelves 18, it being note that the upper sides of the two surfaces lie flush with the upper side of the respective shelves. Power is applied toene or the other of the wheels 22 for driving the conveyor in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 2 so that the upper stretch of the conveyer moves outwardly from the kitchen K, while the lower stretch moves inwardly toward the kitchen. The upper stretch is arranged to conve a plurality of trays G from the kitchen to predetermined points upon the distril'iuting.r table A while the lower stretch is designed to convey the trays with the empty dishes from the distributing table rearwardly into the kitchen for a subsequent washing.

To effect the delivery of a tray to a predetermined point on the distributing table A. the upper shelves'20 of the table are provided with a connected series of U-shaped partitions 26 which provide o en ended compartments 26, any one of w ich is adapted to receive a tray G. As shown in Figs. 1 andl 2, I provide a. compartment 26l between every pair of partitions 21 so that the discharge of a tray from the conveyer B to one compartmept is separate and distinct lfxlom adjacent compartments. 55 i' As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, each tra G. comprises a pair of superposed disks 2 and 27 `which are supported in spaced relation to each other by a standard 28 which is made referably in the form shown in Fig. 6. e standard 28 is rovided with a pair of vertically disposed s ots 28 which slidably receive a pair of substantially U- shaped metallic mem ers 29 and 29l which constitute loops to\e ect a removal of the trays from the cpnveyer, as will be hereinafter. described. The members 29 and 29 are adjustable longitudinally within 'the standard 28 and are adapted to be locked in any adjusted position by means of lugs 30 and 30" respectively, which are adapted to seat within any one of a series of recesses 3l and 31 respectively, formed on the con frontin 4sides of the disks 27 and 27, re-. spective y. As shown in Fig. 5, the members 29 and 29* are capable of adjustment in different horizontal planes, the purpose of this adjustment being to vary the position of the closed end of the members so that they will engagle predetermined hooks 32 carried by the s elves 20 of the distributing table A. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the hooks 32 are pivoted for Swingin movement in a horizontal plane, a hook being provided for each compartment 26*il at a point adjacent the end nearest the kitchen, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The hooks 32 of an two confronting com artments 26* are of t e same length and are iased to the position shown b means of s rings 33, as illustrated to a vantage in Big. 8. As the hooks 32 rogress from the kltchen end of the distributing table, each pair increases in length so that their bills will be disposed at different Ipoints above the surface of the conveyer B. In the present instance, I 'have shown eight pairs of hooks 32 successively increasin 1n len h from the kitchen end of the distributing table, the next pair in advance being of the same length as the first pair but disposed in a higher horizontal plane, and with succeeding pairs gradually increasing in length as with the first eight pairs. The purpose of this arrangement is to secure a coaction between the member 29n of a tray G and the eight pairs of hooks of the first set, While the remaining pairs of hooks being in a higher plane are adapted to coact with the upper member 29. The coaction of the hooks and members will be more clearly understood from the description of the entire operation of the apparatus. l,

As shown in Fi s. 1 and 3, the outer side of the conveyer is provided at intervals with a plurality of pulleys or wheels 34 which are adapted to en age the tray G and are arranged to assist t e hooks 32 in discharging the trays from the conveyer. On the inner side of the conveyer, or other pulleys 85 are mounted which are arranged in the conveyer moving-in the directn indicated by t e arrows in 2, the trays Gr are caught by the chute and discharged from the conveyer whereupon the dishes may be i upon the conveyor the correspondingr seat.

removed from the tray and the latter again used in delivering the food to the distributing table.

As shown in Fig. 1, the walls oi' the opening formed in the partition 15, are provided with rollers 36 which guide the trays centrally onto the conveyer B as they are introduced to the conveyer. The kitchen end of the conveyor is shown disposed adjacent a tray table 37 from which the trays are placed as will be understood. The operation o the delivery apparatus is as follows:

With the conveyer B moving;r in the direction indicated bv the arrows inFig. 2, trays G, asthey are placed thereupon; are fed forwardly over the distributing table A. When it is desired to deliver a particular tray containing certain dishes for a particular diner, the member 29 or 291L is adjusted and the tray properly positioned on the conveyer so that the closed ends of either member will engage the desired hook 32. As the tray travels -forwardly over the distributingr table A, the hook 32 which is disposed in the path of movement of the member 29 or 29* engages the latter and, under the forward movement of the conveyor, the tray is swung;r by the pulleys 34 about the pivot point of the hook 32 as a center, thus causingr the tray to be discharged laterally from the conveyer into the corresponding compartment. The conipartments-and trays are preferably' numbered and the tables and counter also numbered correspondingly so that the tray delivered in aA particular compartment can be readily identified'vvithv the diner occupyinpIr sl own in Fig. 1, the compartments on one si e of the delivering. table are numbered f In 11 to 12p beginning at the kitchen end y o the table while, the compartments on the ot er side are numbered from 13p to 21, p rrtion of the counter C is numbered to cor respond tothe compartments from 1P to 12", While certain of the tables T are numbered from 13t to 2.4l to correspond to the compartments on the adjacent side of the delivering1r table. The remainder of the tables and counter seats are numbered beginning with 25t or 25, respectively. As shown in Figs. 7 and 7, the-recesses 31 and 31 are `each vnumbered twice, with. the exception `of the .outermost recesses which are numbered a plurality of times. The recesses numbered twice correspond to the compartments on either side of the deliveringr table, and the numbers adjacent the outermost recesses con respond to the seats above twenty-four.

To receive the trays above'tiventy-four, l provide an auxiliary table A which is formed on the forward end of the main table A` as shownin Fig. 1. This auxiliary. table is not provided with compartments but is merely adapted to receive the trays in any For example` as deposited in spective diners. As a tray (i has discharged from the conveyor B, it is deposited upon one of the shelves 20 between a pair of partitions 21, and under the action-of the pulleys 34 it is forced outwardly between the hing-wl doors 21I1 into the compartment 2W.

When it is desired to return the tray and dishes thereon to the kitchen for washing, they are placed upon the shelves 18 and moved through the bars 19 and onto the lower stretch of the conveyor, the latter carrying the tray forwardly into the chute E. as has been previously described.

In conjunction with the tray delivering` apparatus just described, I employ an apparatus for conveying order slips from each of' the liners to the kitchen l, and after the order has been filled. the slip is conveyed to the cashiers desk Z. Fig. 1, where it is retained to await payment of the saine by the diner. These slips are adapted to be numbered 'according to the particular table oaportion of the counter occupied by a diner, so that when it is delivered to the kitchen, the tray containing the dishes ordered by the diner is adjusted tobe automatically delivered to the corresponding compartment in the manner previously described. This sysv tem, in the present instance, is carried out by meansV of the apparatus shown in Figs, 10 and 11. In Fig. 10, I have shown a main conveyingr tube which is disposed below the several tables T in Fig. 1. and is inclined from one end to the other in the direction of the kitchen K. This tube is designated at Y. and is shown as provided with aplurality of branch tubes Y which communicate with suitable openings Y2 formed in the tables T. These branch tubes Y are also inclined for a purpose which will be hereinafter described.

The order slips are placed within a receptacle R such as shown in Fig. 12, and this receptacle is deposited within any one of the branch 'wipes Y. As the receptacle is of spherical formation` it is obvious that the same will gravitate into the main tube Y, and because of the inclination of the latter will roll to its lower end. where it is a suitable receptacle (not shown) located within the kitchen K. As shown in Fig. 12, the receptacle R comprises two seinrspherical sections 4U, which are hingedly connected as at 41. and adapted to be locked in the forni of a sphere by means of spring clips 42. -This receptacle isalso adapted to be used in conjunction with the apparatus shown in Fig. 11. the latter being identical to that shown in Fig. 10 but npplied to the counter C, as shown in Fig. 1.

For conveying the rece tacle R from the kitchen to the cashiers esk, I provide another inclined tube Yf, as shown in Fig. 10. It will be understood that the receptacles are introduced into the upper end of the tube Ys and delivered at the lower end to the cashiers desk.

From the foregoing description of the delivering apparatus and the order conveying apparatus, it will be manifest that the two coperate to provide an efficient system for conveying order slips to the kitchen and ultimately to the cashier and for lilling these orders and delivering the trays to the several compartments ofi' the distributing table.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of delivering apparatus and one form of order conveying apparatus embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may bc resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A food delivering apparatus comprising a distributing table having compartments formed therein, hooks for each of the compartments pivoted on said table, a movable conveyer, trays adapted to be placed on said conveyer, rollers carried by said conveyer, and adjustable means carried by the trays which are engageable with said hooks for effecting an automatic discharge of the trays from the conveyer to predetermined compartments.

2. A food delivering apparatus comprising a distributing table having compartments formed therein, a conveyer movable adjacent the compartments, trays adapted to be placed upon said conveyer, pivoted means carried by said table, rotary means carried by said conveyer, and adjustable means carried by said trays which coact with said pivoted and rotary means for effecting an automatic discharge of the tray to predetermined compartments.

3. A food delivering apparatus comprising a distributing table, a conveyer movable through the table, compartments formed in the table and disposed upon opposite sides of said conveyer, trays adapted to be carried by said conveyer. pivoted means carried by said table, rotary means carried by said conveyer` and adjustable means carried by said trays coacting with said pivoted and rotary means for effecting an automatic discharge of the trays into predetermined compartments.

4. A food delivering apparatus comprising a distributing table having compartments formed therein, a conveyer movable adjacent said compartments, hooks pivoted on said table in each of said compartments, means for biasing said hooks to predetermined positions, rotary means carried by said conveyer and engageable with said trays for guiding the latter toward said compartments, and adjustable means-carried by said trays and engageable -with said hooks for causing the latter to discharge the trays from the conveyer into predetermined compartments.

5. A food delivering apparatus comprising a distributing table having compartments formed therein, a conveyer movable adjacent thev compartments, tivo' series of hooks pivoted on the table and 'biased to predetermined positions, the hooks of both series being of graduating lengths with the hooks of one series beingfdisposed in a different horizontal plane :from the hooks of the other series, traysgadapted to be carried by said conveyer, and adjustable means carried by said tray and engageable with the hooks of either series for effecting a d'scharge of the trays into predetermined compartme-nts.

6. A tray for the lpurpose described comprising pairs of spaced members having recesses formed therein, and members slidable between said members and engageable with said recesses for locking the second members in adjusted position.

, 7. A tray of the character described comprising spaced disks, a standard between said disks, members slidable through Said standard and between said disks, and coact-l ing means carried by sald members and disks for locking the members in adjusted. position.

8. In combination, an apparatus for .de-

livering trays comprising an endlessconveyer, a distributing table having compartments formed therein, means carried by said table and conveyer for effectingan automatic discharge of trays from the conveyer into predetermined compartments, dinlng tables arranged adjiacent said table and corresponding to sai compartments, and an ordering apparatus comprising an inclined tube, and inclined branchtubes connected said tube and communicating withsaid table.

9. In combination, a conveyer comprising an endless belt, a trough having one end thereof overlying one stretch of the belt, and wheels carried by said belt,.said wheels being arranged in groups which extend diagonally of the belt for the purpose described.

WILLIAM FRAVHCIS McGLAUGHLlN. 

